I am an expat Englishman, who moved to the Lucky Country 11 years ago, bringing with me my lifelong love of all things 2T. I am an aircraft engineer by background and find that the whole restoration process satisfies my long-since redundant need to twirl the spanners and fix stuff. I am also now finally lucky enough to have my own workshop, which when I convince the minister of finance to let me install a flat screen TV, will be just about perfect!
After disappointingly having to sell my beloved RD400F (UK 2R9 model) after 10 years of ownership, to partly fund our emigration plans,
I have spent the last decade attempting to build up a small collection of all the bikes I owned/wanted as a young man, so here are the results of my efforts to date (in chronological order):
1974 Kawasaki S3, three owners from new, original Aussie delivered bike with just over 27,000 kms on its clock. In great original and unmolested condition but I have plans to upgrade the engine with a stage 1 tune and Johnny Aylor reed valve conversion and to fit alloy wheels, plus upgraded suspension and brakes to really make it something really special.
1979 Yamaha RD400G (3M4 model), again three owners from new (I purchased it from the guy who had owned if since 1981), with just under 20,000 kms travelled (4,000 of which have been by me). Bike was subject to a medium restoration in 2014/15, which included new paint, complete engine rebuild (including a stage 1 tune by Stan Stephens) and lots of other work. It is a great bike and shows just how far Yamaha had developed the aircooled 2-stroke twin by the time it went on sale.
1981 Yamaha RD350LC (5E0 model), Elsie was bought from a guy in Melbourne as a collection of large lumps and boxes in 2009 and became the subject of my first ever ground-up restoration on and off over the ensuing 7 years. The end result is pretty much as close to a show bike as I will ever get with heaps of NOS parts fitted but would still pale in comparison to some people's efforts. She was built to ride and has upgraded suspension and brakes plus a stage 1 Stan Stephens engine tune
1981 Suzuki GT250 EX X7, my latest addition, purchased from its second owner (something of a recurring theme here eh?) a mature fellow VJMC member, who was selling it to fund his T500 restoration (thanks Bob!). It is in good condition with just over 20,000 kms showing on its speedo. I intend to do a moderate restoration and engine top end refresh and have spent the last 12 months accumulating heaps of parts ready to start work on it in 2017.
1986 Yamaha RD350F2 and finally, my 'newest' bike in terms of age but oldest in terms of ownership, having come into my possession in 2007. She is a 1WT model, so is an RD and not an RZ, although she carries an Aus compliance plate, so not sure how that happened? She is now somewhat careworn and really needs a full restoration but will have to wait until the X7 and S3 have been through the workshop, so that probably means 2018 at the earliest, which is a shame, as these are cracking bikes with 63BHP on tap.
So there you have it, my potted history during my time here in Ozland, which hopefully hasn't forced anyone to nod off!
Looking forward to exchanging ideas and information with everyone and being part of the 2 Strokes Down Under community, so any comments or questions about my bikes are welcomed.
In closing, I have already posted a wanted thread but I am still on the lookout for another coffin tanked RD400E/F to replace the one I sold in 2005, so please let me know if you have information about any available bikes (anything considered).
Cheers
Ozhammer
